MEMBER NEWSLETTER OF THE KIPSIGIS TEACHERS SACCO SOCIETY LTD
OCTOBER 2011
KIPSIGIS TEACHERS SACCO NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Diaspora Membership and Growth Since our last Newsletter, many important and positive things have happened in our sacco, not least, the growth of our membership by 823 as by the close of business on December 31, last year. This record achievement was made possible by aggressive marketing, increased publicity, and introduction of new, relevant products as well as by the widening of our common bond. In deed, opening of our common bond has had significant, if sometimes unexpected results. One of them is that the sacco has attracted a large number of members from around the country. But what was unexpected was a membership from Kenyans in diaspora. The membership has not only boosted our numbers and income, it has made Kipsigis Teachers Sacco Society to stand out as a national financial institution ready to play its role in the development of the larger Kipsigis area. You are aware that billions of shillings are brought into Kenya by Kenyans working and living abroad. The Kenya government is working hard to develop investment packages that can attract even more of these diaspora Kenyans to invest more in the country. But the burning question has been: Through which channel will they bring in their money? Such channels must be smaller, rural institu-
tions that offer personalized services. They must be institutions which, while remaining sophisticated, modern and relevant, do not intimidate and frighten the rural folk. They must also offer cheaper financial services so that customers can retain much of their money. In this respect, nothing beats saccos. And in deed, saccos are being considered as the potential official channel of the transmission of such funds. Of course, that will be for the sacco that is well managed, fully capitalized, secure and trustworthy. Now that we have diaspora members, we can say we have a big vote of confidence. But we must continue to strive to improve. Our goal should be to become the most significant source of financial services in Kipsigis. As you are aware, Kipsigis Teachers Sacco Society is fully Sasra compliant. It means more secure, better banking for our members. Let me end by urging you, as I did during our members Information Days (March 12 -14, 2011), to take advantage of the opening of our common bond to bring in more members. I have no doubt that with the continued support of our members, we can increase our investment as a result of our social impact. Mathew Ruto Chairman
KIPSIGIS TEACHERS SACCO NEWSLETTER PAGE 3
MESSAGE FROM CEO
Acquire Computer Skills with Your Sacco The Kipsigis Teachers Sacco Newsletter is fast becoming an important channel of communication between the management and the members of the sacco. Without communication, it is impossible to know what‘s happening in the Sacco as well as to participate and to take advantage of the many products and services that are regularly introduced. One new product is the laptop computer project being carried out in collaboration with Safaricom Limited. The purpose of the project is to help members to acquire laptops at extremely low prices. As you are aware, the computer is fast becoming the greatest possession you can have. With it you can easily perform many basic functions like typing and storing your files. And you can open and read these files anywhere you want even on a safari. But more importantly, with your laptop computer you can literally open to the world through human beings greatest invention, the internet. With the internet, the world is in front of you, you can receive information and you can send information. You can access the saccos website, www.kipsacco.co.ke and save yourself time, money and possible frustration by accessing some of the sacco services online, right in the comfort of your house or wherever else you prefer to go.
The laptops that the sacco is offering are HP Compaq along with an HP printer and a Safaricom modem with free 40 MB data download. You will read more about this elsewhere inside this Newsletter, but allow me to mention here that the laptops are available to all our members and you can acquire yours with the sacco‘s usual low interest loans. Of course, if you are interested in getting your computer, you can talk to the sacco staff in any of our branches. In this line, I may also mention Inua Loan which is a new product. This loan is fives times the amount of investment deposits you have. But you must have your salary paid through the Fosa because deductions are made through a standing order. In conclusion, may I again appeal to you to participate in the production of this Newsletter by contributing articles and ideas.
Kipruto Sigey, HSC Chief Executive Officer
KIPSIGIS TEACHERS SACCO NEWSLETTER PAGE 4
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
SPEECH BY THE CHAIRMAN - KIPSIGIS TEACHERS SACCO SOCIETY LTD. DURING MEMBERS' INFORMATION DAYS FROM MARCH TO 14th, APRIL 2011 It is my great pleasure to warmly welcome you all to our Divisional Education and Information day. Let me also sincerely thank you for attending this important meeting and wish you a happy and prosperous year of 201 1. Attending such a forum or meeting is of great importance since we shall share ideas and our input shall be incorporated into the Society's operations. May I present to you our Society's report for the year ended 31st December, 2010 under the following headings: MEMBERSHIP: In the year 2010, we managed to recruit 823 new members. Currently our membership stands at 16824. The good work of our SACCO and the opening of the common bond has attracted members from across the
borders of Kenya and now we are proud to report that we have members among Kenyans in the diaspora. It is also important to note that under SASRA Regulations, all customers enjoying the various services offered by the Society must be members. May I also urge you to bring in more members since we have opened our Common Bond. SHARE CAPITAL By the end of the year, our Share Capital rose from Ksh.42,155,875/= to Ksh. 160,000,000/= due to Ksh. 10,000/= deducted from every member to build share capital as per the SASRA requirements. MEMBERS' DEPOSIT By the end of the year, Members' Deposit rose from Ksh, 1 ,795,459,520/= to Ksh. 1 ,885,092, 169.38 marking a rise of Ksh. 89, 632, 649-38 which represent 5%. Our highest single contributor is Ksh.3,016,085/ = LOANS TO MEMBERS: During the year in review, we managed to give loans to members to the tune of Ksh.l,592,359,311;= compared
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to Ksh. 1,348,743,3907= in the year 2009 while loans outstanding as at 31st December,2010 stands at Ksh.2,282,747,074.85 Loan dispersed from the Society since inception is to the tune of Ksh 13,640,289,818/= our highest single loanee has Ksh.3,000,000/=. I am happy to report that the society faces no loan backlog. Though the demand for loans still exceeds the available funds. I appeal to our members to be good savers to enable us mobilize and utilize our own Savings. It is unfortunate that the Teachers Service Commission at times delay deductions or recovery of loans granted to members even after several reminders. In order to minimize the adverse effect of this on our members and operations, we wish to call upon any member who may fall victim to these loans to co-operate by paying cash to the SACCO or by standing order in FOSA accounts until the Teachers Service Commission effects the loan deduction. This will enhance our SASRA Compliance. CREDIT REFERENCE BUREAU Deliberate loan defaulters are now informed that their days are numbered as all lending institutions are set to interlink with a view to sharing information on borrowers resulting in blacklisting of defaulters. Such defaulters will henceforth be denied credit from all lending houses until they clear their defaulted loan.
BOSA PRODUCTS: Due to the introduction of the introductory loans to new members, and its implementation in full, New members are currently enjoying and appreciating the same. We extend the same to the newly employed teachers under contract to come for the same. The Board of Directors have also introduced the Instant Loan which is pocket friendly:- which when one qualifies for, shall be granted the same day but will attract a higher interest rate of 1.25%. FOSA PRODUCTS Since its inception, our FOSA has been doing quite well and giving good services to our members. Services offered in this FOSA are equivalent of any commercial Bank and are even better. From the FOSA we get the following services:> Salaries channeled through it. > Cashing of cheques. > Fixed deposits with good interest rates. > Parrot Account( for our children) > ATM Services. > Advances (with affordable interest rates). > Processing of Farm Proceeds > Bankers cheques (to schools for our children).
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> Inua loan -best selling latest product. I urge our members to patronize our FOSA by:> Channeling their salaries through it. > Contributing well towards FOSA investment deposits. Our SACCO looks forward to making our FOSA stronger with good financial liquidity base. Our target is to reach over Ksh.300million (Kenya shillings three hundred million only) as FOSA Investment Deposits to cushion our members financially during hard times. FOSA DEPOSITS: Members have Deposited to the tune of Ksh416,235,344/= as at 28th February, 2011. As at this date 28th February, 2011, our FOSA investment deposits stood at Ksh.72,643,165/=(Kenya shillings seventy two thousand six hundred and forty three thousand one hundred and sixty five only) INUA LAON Currently the Society has launched a product popularly known as INUA Loan. Inua Loan is given five times the FOSA investment Deposits of a member who has the salary channeled through FOSA and the deduction done through Standing Order. So far the Society has loaned Kshl3,866,000/= to 213 applicants with effect from 1st January, 2011. WELFARE FUND
lam proud to announce that Co-operative Insurance Company has insured the loans of deceased members and also doubled the shares of the same. Effective January,2011, all deceased families are consoled during or before funeral with a cash donation of Ksh.20,000/= (Kenya shillings, Twenty thousand only). This is only given to the family of those who are our members on production of the burial permit. KAPKATET CO-OP HOUSE The sale of the Co-operative House is at an advanced stage. The Board of Directors are only waiting for the sale payment. Otherwise the building is currently rented by Kabianga University College who are the potential buyers. PROVISION OF LAPTOPS TO ESTEEMED MEMBERS The Society along with Safaricom Limited brings you affordable. LAPTOPS at unbeatable prices and offers. HP Compaq along with HP Printer and Safaricom Modem 40MB data. The intention of the Board is to avail Laptops, especially to our members who are at the moment pursuing further studies. The members can purchase the same in form of a loan as usual. For further information, see our personnel at the Headquarters (Kericho) and in any of our Society's Branches (Bomet and Bureti). It is the intention of the Board, that all our Members become Information Tech-
KIPSIGIS TEACHERS SACCO NEWSLETTER PAGE 7
nology compliant and through this service, the Society can assist you acquires one. SACCO SOCIETIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY (SASRA) The Government through the Ministry of Co-operative Development and Marketing established a body called SASRA. The work of SASRA is to regulate DepositTaking SACCOs like our just like the way central bank regulates Commercial Banks. From this new regulation, we are expected to maintain the folio wing:a) Core Capital of not less than 10% of total assets; b) Institutional capital of not less than 8% of total assets; c) Core capital of not less than 8% of total deposits. As you are aware our Society has an asset base of 3.6 billion and Deposits of over 2billion. These two are denominators which are expected to drive core capital and institutional capital. The deposits you currently hold with the Society, for the purposes of this regulation is classified as non withdrawable deposits and not capital (shares). This is because they are refundable to you on cessation of membership. We have been given a period of 4 years to comply with the SASRA regulations but each year has its own targets. As demanded by the situation, we intend to build on core and Institutional Capital through the following means: a) Retaining part of surplus of 2010; b) Capitalizing part of your Deposits. Each member is to have Ksh. 10,000.00 of his or her deposits capitalized (but will earn dividends). On cessation of membership, this will not be refundable but can be transferred to another member. We are also to provide provision of Bad debts (loan loss) of 1% of total loans. This has resulted in expensing of Ksh.40,000,000.00 to cater for the same. Consequent upon retention of the surplus, \ve expect the interest and dividend rates to come down. This should not be mistaken to mean poor performance by our Society. Infact the total surplus before payment of interest and dividends is Ksh.245,227,774.00 which is the highest in our history. In 2009, the figure was Ksh.186,751,314.00. From last year's earnings, we have retained
Ksh.25,911,990.00 as institutional capital. Laws and Government regulation is an external factor beyond our control. So the best thing to do is to swim along with the currents by adapting to the unfolding changes in the legal environment. ACHIEVEMENTS IN OUR SOCIETY 1. The Launch of the ATM in our Society. 2. Operations in the Society on Saturdays effective 1st January,2011 for half day. 3. The Society Offices, both FOSA and BOSA remains open during lunch hour. 4. Introduction of premium loan-loan repayment for sixty months. 5. Trophies awarded to highest savers shareholders in BOSA and PARROT Account holders. Highest savers in FOSA Investment Deposits would also be awarded in future. 6. Members who were contributing Ksh.8,000/= (Kenya shillings Eight thousand only) for the purchase of the Co-op. House shares have completed the payment. 7. Opening hours in FOSA adjusted to 8.30am and closing at 4.00pm. 8. Buy back scheme i.e. to rescue our members from Commercial Banks. CHALLENGES: Despite our Society being one of the leading SACCO in the Country, we are faced by some challenges:1. High demand for loans 2. Stiff competitions from other commercial banks 3. Up-coming village banks 4. New Laws and Legislation i.e. SASRA implementation 5. Delayed remittance by certain employers CONCLUSION Finally may I thank you all for attending this very important meeting and the support you accord us during all seasons. We hope the same spirit would prevail for the betterment and improvement of the services offered in our Society. Many thanks in advance. Mathew Ruto CHAIRMAN
KIPSIGIS TEACHERS SACCO NEWSLETTER PAGE 8
'X
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 31.12.2010 NOTES ASSETS Current assets Cash and Bank Balances Sch "A" Prepayments & Sundry Receivable SCH H Stock of stationery Loans to Members (SCH B)NET Electricity deposits Fosa advances Sch "C"(NET) Savings in other institutions (SCH E) TOTAL FIXED ASSETS KEBO Investment Investments Sch " D" Property, Plant & Equipment (Sch H) TOTAL TOTAL ASSETS LIABILITIES Members deposits Members withdrawable Savings Deposits Sch"F" Sundry fosa provisions Provision for income tax Honorarium Provision for Dividend to member 5 % pro-rata Provision for Interest on deposits 9.5% pro-rata Provision for bad debts Provision for Dividend due to KEBO Unclaimed coop house dividend Audit and supervision External loans SCH G) TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES SHARE HOLDERS FUNDS Fully paid shares Entrance fee COOP House shares . COOP House Entrance fee Statutory Reserve General Reserves Institutional Capital Appropriation Account Total share holders funds TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHARE HOLDERS FUNDS
31.12.2010 Kshs.
341,823,002 501,864,763 168,087 2,295,951,549 1,096,333 106,551,528 141,038.508 3,388,493,770
31.12.2009 Kshs.
466,006,921 427,558,746 387,539 1,967,560,177 1,096,333 70,402,728 2,933.012,444
55,707,887 198,330,700 115,635,674 84,935,650 20,436,968 19,645,561 191.780.529______ 302.911,911 3.580.274,299 3.235.924,355
1,937,393,321 1,806,415,395 481,429,511 391,376,586 1,169,717 101,086 247,097 200,000 200,000 8,412,000 3,216,000 184,052,367 181,853,915 2,250,000 2,167,999 794,943 99,200 189,200 721,302.241____ 651,415,302 3,332,989,726___3,041,296,154 168,240,000 _ 23,412,270 4,475,342 50,500,000 656,960 247,284,573 3,580,274,299
These accounts were presented and approved by the Board of Directors
42,155,875 1,714,040 106,418,019 344,605 15,015,120 4,475.342 24,500,000 5,200 194,628,201 3,235,924,355
KIPSIGIS TEACHERS SACCO NEWSLETTER PAGE 9
MARKETING REPORT
Why Do We Need to Market Sacco Products? The Kipsigis Teachers Sacco Society wish to reach all its customers with information on the products and services at their disposal for them to enjoy full facilities. This is what led to the establishment of the Marketing Department. The main focus will therefore be building strong customer relations through employing ways that ensure customer retention due to satisfaction. Doing things right and consistently is a sure way to success. How You Can Get Involved We appreciate and encourage our members to give feedback (complaints and compliments). New suggestions on designing new products will be helpful in order to build a competitive edge in this error of stiff competition in the financial sector. The award of the certificate of deposit taking to the society by SASRA is a giant step which our mem-
bers should be proud of and seek to benefit from this privilege and all that comes with it. The future is bright for all with our unity and commitment to strive together. I welcome all who have not joined our society to visit any of our branches for more information,
KIPSIGIS TEACHERS SACCO SOCIETY Kipsigis Teachers SACCO Society was registered as a Savings and Credit Co-operative Society on 8th May, 1978. The current active membership stands at 16324, drawn from teachers of primary and Secondary schools mostly from southern Rift-valley, but has expanded countrywide due to the opened bond which include all salaried employees from government ministries, private institutions, tutors and lecturers, KNUT and registered institutions. Vision ―To be a leading financially sound Sacco society in Kenya in the provision of excellent diversified ser-
vices‖
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Mission ―To mobilize savings and deposits, and provide affordable credits and other diversified excellent financial products and services through efficient processes, prudent management and highly motivated staff for the satisfaction of the members and other stakeholders‖ Core values We are one Integrity Social responsibility Efficiency and Effectiveness Our customer first Optimum performance Transparency/Accountability We strive for excellence Patience, Humility, Honesty and Truthfulness
Re-Finance loan-within a month Premium loan Kionjo loan –introductory to new members Instant loan –in the pipeline Recognition of best savers 3. Micro-credit services Pamoja loan (savings Based micro-credit) Women enterprises fund programme Coffee Development Fund (intermediary) AWARDS Head of State Commendation, (HSC), awarded by the President, H.E Mwai Kibaki to the CEO, Paul Sigei and to the former Chairman, Joseph Koech 13th May 2011 –Received the SASRA license
Motto ‗Unity is strength
KUSCCO Ltd; (CFC) - Highest saver 2010 -Second highest share holder overall 2010
Slogan ‗Save habitually, Borrow wisely, Repay promptly‘
Co-operative Bank -Highest shareholder Riftvalley region 2010 -Highest deposits-Rift-valley region
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES FOSA Short term Advances 1 month Long term advances 6 months Inua Loan 24 months Parrot accounts children‘s account Fixed Deposit account Savings account Other FOSA Services Standing Order Bankers Cheques SMS Alerts M-pesa services / M-banking ATM Services BOSA Development loan- paid within a week School/college Fees-paid within a day Emergency loan-within a day
CIC -Highest share purchase 2010 -Best insured cooperative society 2010 KRA-2007-Distinguished Tax Payer Rift-valley region Kericho District -1st position Highest Average savings 2010 -2nd position Best Loan Service to members 2010
KIPSIGIS TEACHERS SACCO NEWSLETTER PAGE 11
FOSA REPORT
More Products to be Introduced Soon BY MATHEW ROTICH Currently our FOSA section has three outlets where customers can access our services. These outlets are:Kericho Bomet Bureti (Kapkatet) We have over 20,000 Account holders. We were among the first to be licensed by SACCOs Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA). The regulation is aimed at improving financial conditions and soundness of SACCO Societies thereby protecting members deposits enhance their confidence and thus increasing Savings. SASRA will go along way in promoting transparency and integrity in the Co-operative movement. This means that the future of SACCOs is bright given the fact that they will be able to operate from the same flat form. Professional financial management will be injected to the sector. FOSA SERVICES Savings Account with no ledger fee
Fixed Deposit Account with competitive interest rates. Parrot Accounts to teach Children to save during their formative ages. Salary processing. Processing of farm products such as tea proceeds, milk proceed, Pyrethrum, Coffee proceeds etc. Loan and Advances Short term advance which run for one (1) month. Long-term advances which runs for six (6) months. Inua loan recoverable in 24months. Cheques clearance through Cooperative Bank. Sale of Bankers cheques. ATM Services. M-Banking. In the offing is Point of Sales (P.O.S) which will enable us to serve our members in rural areas without investing in infrastructure. P.O.S allows cash deposits, cash withdrawals and payments of Bills.
KIPSIGIS TEACHERS SACCO NEWSLETTER PAGE 12
FOSA STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31.12.2010
31.12.2010
31.12.2009
INCOME
NOTES
KSHS
KSHS
Interest Income
15(a)
109,153,812.00
92,106,840.00
Commissions
15(b)
45,262,056.00
8,985,033.00
Cash Variance
sen k
54,409.00
0.00
Other fosa income
1 5©
204,800.00
10,375,838.00
154,675,077.00
111,467,711.00
3,195,235.00
0.00
151,479,842.00
111,467,711.00
TOTAL INCOME LESS INTEREST ON MEMBERS SAVINGS PAID GROSS INCOME
5
EXPENDITURE Staffexpenses
13(a)
21,349,195.00
18,855,,443.00
Committee expenses
1 3(b)
5,969,360.00
6,288,678.00
Financial expenses
1 3©
44,222,705.00
36,668,936.00
Administrative expenses
1 3(d)
12,283,561.00
8,102,691.00
TOTAL EXPENDETURE
83,824,821.00
69,915,748.00
NET PROFFIT
67,655,021.00
41,551,963.00
KIPSIGIS TEACHERS SACCO NEWSLETTER PAGE 13
ADMINISTRATION OFFICE REPORT
Technology Brings New Demands By Nancy Ngetich As technology has advanced, the duties of the office assistant have changed. Administrative assistants are responsible for a variety of administrative and clerical duties necessary to run an organization efficiently. They serve as information and communication managers for an office; plan and schedule meetings and appointments; organize and maintain paper and electronic files; manage projects; conduct research; and disseminate information by using the telephone, mail services, Web sites, and e-mail. They also may handle travel and guest arrangements.‖ But any administrative assistants worth their salt will tell you this barely scratches the surface of everything they do. The good administrative assistant knows how the office functions. While all offices look the same on the surface, each office is different, often influenced by the industry it serves. Some have a more casual chain of command, some are very formal. In the office, the experienced administrative assistant knows, for instance, which faxes are important and which are trash; what mail can be safely discarded; which e-mails must be forwarded to the boss, and which he or she can deal with. The administrative assistant also deals with the public in many offices, and is a source of general information. He or she will also probably be responsible, at least in part, in training new office staff. She has to know how to work with a variety of office equipment such as computers, fax machines, photocopiers, scanners, video conferencing and telephone systems and so on. Administrative assistants serve as information and communication managers for an office, plan and schedule meetings and appointments, organize and
maintain paper and electronic files and disseminate information by using the telephone, mail services, web sites, and e-mail. They also handle travel and guest arrangements. An administrative assistant uses a variety of office equipment, such as fax machines, photocopiers, scanners, video Knowledge of technology enable an administrative assistant to handle complex tasks, many of which used to be handled by managers and professionals such as creating spreadsheets, composing correspondence, managing databases, and creating presentations, reports, and documents using desktop publishing software and digital graphics. It is for this reason that at Kipsigis Teachers Sacco Society, administrative assistants section works in teams. That way, they can be flexible and can share expertise. For the society, the administrative assistant is responsible for handling most of the communications between board members, staff members, clients, stakeholders and the community. As such, the administrative assistant maintains details and contact information such as postal addresses and telephone contacts of everyone dealing with the sacco. The CEO's calendar is also maintained by this office to help set priorities for the day. Thus with the introduction of technology, more skills are required for effective performance, not least of them being organizational and communication skills.
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THE TEACHING PROFESSION
Be a Better Teacher and Avoid Bad Instructional Practices Information about what to do to help students learn is common. Teachers must know what not to do, as well. Negative attitudes and practices are widespread. Teaching is hard work and so is being a successful student. In order for quality learning to take place in a classroom, both teacher and student need to understand how to be successful. Teachers teach and students learn, but both can be harmed by bad teaching techniques that just won‘t go away. Knowledge of Best Teaching Practices is Essential to Student Learning Much is known about the psychology of learning. Most of it is taught in colleges of education. Regrettably, many teachers are influenced by their personal experience as students and apply methods learned when they were learners. Many new teachers seek tips and ―tricks‖ from experienced teachers who may base their teaching philosophy on an ends-justifying-the-means approach. For example, if a quiet class is the goal, there are many negative and threatening methods that produce quiet classes, but simultaneously interfere with learning. The Use of Rewards and Incentives One of the most common beliefs in schools is that rewarding students with material things will improve learning. There are serious problems with this practice. Dr. Marvin Marshall, a well-known expert on motivation writes, "External controls are manipulators that set up students to be dependent upon external agents." Intrinsic learning should be emphasized from the start of learning. Specifically, students must understand that learning for the sake of learning is a good thing — it is
the key to success. Teachers must apply techniques that make learning as pleasant as possible. Rewarding good behavior is also insidiously affected by the teacher‘s feelings about rewarding. People feel good about pleasing others and seeing a positive reaction. This feeling reinforces rewarding in the teacher, and it may be done because the teacher needs to feel good! Put-downs and Sarcasm Teachers need to be emotionally secure enough to understand the importance of adult behavior. Interactions with students are not based on quid pro quo exchanges, rather teachers behave as mature adults at all times. Embarrassing students or using sarcasm not only interferes with relationships; it hinders learning and it implies that bad behavior must be OK if adults do it.
KIPSIGIS TEACHERS SACCO NEWSLETTER PAGE 15
Positive Techniques for Motivational Teaching Punishing the Class Often during class two or three students might continue to talk or be disruptive despite the teacher‘s warnings. A common practice is to announce that unless everyone behaves that the entire class will be punished in some way. This is equivalent to arresting everyone present in a bank when one person pulls off a robbery! It turns peers against one another, while demonstrating that teachers have a right to be unfair. Negative Discipline as Opposed to Teaching Good Behavior The best teachers are prepared to teach students how to behave as opposed to tossing out consequences for bad behavior. Writing names on the board with checkmarks for continuing offenses is common, but of questionable value compared to positive, assertive discipline. Teachers who work toward a unified class of students who understand expectations will experience more success in maintaining good behavior. Being positive requires knowledge of human behavior, a competent and confident teacher, and commitment. Negative discipline — shouting, writing names on the board, threats, etc. — is easier in the short term, but being positive and assertive produces a better learning environment. Poor Assessments and Evaluation Techniques Understanding what makes a good test and what should count toward a grade are the fundamental issues in assessment and evaluation. Leaning too heavily on formative assessments to evaluate students is bad practice. Teachers should know the difference between formative and summative assessments and grade only what should be graded. Not all student work needs a grade, although parents need to know whether or not students are completing required work. Homework is the most frequent source of grading student work that doesn‘t need to be graded. If homework reflects standards to be assessed later, then it becomes a learning task that will be graded when the standards appear on tests. If teachers feel strongly about grading homework they
might try a weekly homework quiz based exclusively on homework. This practice can save teacher time and avoid the problem of students copying others homework. The types of assessments given should be wellconceived. True-false, matching, and similar assessments don‘t tap higher levels of learning and are typically graded improperly. E.g., a ten-item true-false quiz with two wrong answers should receive a score of 60, not 80. This is because a student has a 50-50 chance of guessing and getting the right answer. To put it another way, a totally illiterate person could take a true-false test and get a score of 50% due to chance, even though he knows nothing about the subject and can‘t even read. Motivation Should Take Care of Itself Teachers are constantly looking for tips to motivate students, but motivating someone to do what they don‘t want to do is complex. Tricks and tips may appear to motivate, while only making students temporarily more contented. A quiet classroom also does not mean that learning is taking place. Teachers should focus on creating an atmosphere that meets basic human needs— acceptance, safety, happiness, physical comfort, etc. Posters should reflect encouragement, not sarcasm. Students concerns should be respected, not rejected. Individual students should frequently hear remarks that affirm progress or encouragement toward progress. Teachers should acknowledge successes to the class as a group and thank them for their efforts. Much of what is necessary for successful teaching is a matter of common sense, yet many poor practices have gained popularity over the decades. The modern teacher must pay attention to what works and apply techniques of teaching and discipline that are based on a positive approach. Effective teaching is for the informed, mature individual who can adapt. Emotional stability and attention to individual and group needs are essential.
IN BRIEF NEW FOSA CLOSING AND CLOSING HOURS Opening …………….. 8.30am Closing………………. 4.00pm. BRANCH OFFICES : BOMET BRANCH, Kipsigis Teachers Building, Tel/fax 052-22422, Bomet BURETI BRANCH: Kipsigis Teachers Building, Tel/fax 052-54072, Kapkatet
Visit our website: www.kipsacco. Co.ke and update your knowledge of your sacco
ATM Services are now available. Please use these services
LETTERS Let’s Integrate Interns Interns are our colleagues being employed by the TSC. They should be welcomed into the mainstream cooperators. The welcoming should be in line with sensitization to various teachers‘ stakes to enable them run faster. As it is said, prevention should be addressed through planning so as to protect the poorer as far as possible against the disaster of commercial lenders. The new colleagues, if not assisted, may end up in the hands of mushrooming lending institutions. Any extremity of anything may lead to disruption of the basic fabric and functioning of societies with widespread economic inflation As we try to understand some of the extreme economic events, the know-how and the strategies have come up to take the preventive measures through societies. The average member who is most at risk when disaster strikes should be informed and exposed by the sound management of the Kipsigis Teachers Sacco. Stressing adequate provision of adaptation measurers based on personal planning. Cooperatives offer many opportunities to develop migration and adaptation strategies to deal with economic hardships. The economic actors with cooperatives should be key players in developing sound strategies for sustainability. Many teachers are still grappling with economic change working out how to access funding and learn from the pioneering cooperators and present members. The leadership with Kipsigis Teachers Sacco can show focus for our young cooperators and turn then around for the success of society and themselves. John K. Meli, Member
KIPSIGIS TEACHERS SACCO NEWSLETTER is a members publication of the Kipsigis Teachers Sacco Society Ltd, P.O. Box 682—20200, Kericho, Kenya ,Telephone +254—052-21029/30229, Fax+254 – 21329,email: Kipsacco@africaonline.co.ke, website: www.kipsacco.co.ke Edited and produced by Investment News, P.O. Box 20257-00100 Nairobi, website: www.investmentnewskenya.com
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Finish Lines Success is never measured by The things we try to do; It only comes when we have seen A task completely through.